The Elysium women’s football team, the Elysium Eagles, was formed just over a year ago. The team has already played an important, positive role in the lives of people supported in Elysium services in the North West.
We joined a recent training session to speak with two of the squad to find out more.
It’s a cold but bright day as we join the Elysium Eagles for their weekly training session. Since their formation, training sessions and matches have been an opportunity to meet new people, socialise and have plenty of physical exercise.
The Eagles form friendships outside of the hospital environment.
Some of the team are supported in medium and low secure settings. They believe that the chance to be out in the fresh air spending time with different people is really beneficial for them, as well as the physical exercise.
A – a central defender who is supported at Gateway Recovery Centre – agrees: “I really enjoy playing and being part of the Elysium Eagles. It’s a chance to meet new people outside of the hospital, which isn’t always easy.
“It’s good to be out in the fresh air and I enjoy meeting the different people, they’re really nice. I played for a team before and so it was good to be able to do that again. I look forward to coming to the trainjng, learning new skills and being part of a team. Working together is something I enjoy.”
K, who also plays in defence and is supported at Arbury Court, is equally positive. She says: “It’s not just that we build relationships with each other as players, but the staff who support us often take part in the practice sessions too. There’s banter and we have a laugh. We’re all in it together.”
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